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Syria: Obama gaining support for military strike
Though Boehner and Cantor are in favor, other top Republicans are wavering and could syphon away yes votes. Republican House whip Kevin McCarthy said Wednesday he was “not there yet.”
Another key figure, Paul Ryan, who like McCarthy may have leadership ambitions, is yet to tip his hand.
The White House has good reason for concern. Close Obama aides privately vent frustration that Boehner has been unable to deliver his riotous caucus on other big issues, including on proposed budget deals.
Democratic House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, a veteran vote counter, will be crucial. She appeared to be speaking to liberal Democrats mulling a vote against their own president, when she made a humanitarian case for action on Tuesday.
Van Hollen meanwhile has been drafting a House resolution that would again constrain Obama’s options, underlining anti-war feeling in the chamber.
Obama, often criticized for a failure to engage on key priorities on Capitol Hill, has been unusually active. A senior official told reporters the president was calling lawmakers from abroad. On Wednesday, he also hardened his rhetoric.
“My credibility is not on the line, the international community’s credibility is on the line and America and Congress’s credibility is on the line,” he said.
The comments appeared to be a bid to give Republicans, many of whom defy him on principle, a reason to vote ‘yes’ other than the fact the president’s prestige is at stake. He was also issuing a veiled threat of blame he will heap on lawmakers if the vote goes down.
Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Rice and other key officials are also making an argument to lawmakers that if action is not taken against Syria, Iran will draw a dangerous lesson about American resolve, a senior administration official said.
Copyright 2013 AFP
